News

Dermatologists use a variety of medications to treat common ailments.

Legislation backed by the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) to abolish the controversial sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula in the Medicare fee schedule contains provisions to implement a payment system based on "pay for performance," a plan to compensate physicians according to the quality of care they provide.

National report — The most feasible road to procedure credentialing would likely involve setting up a separate entity comprised of dermatologic-associated societies and administering a credentialing system similar to the process of hospital privileging, according to the initial findings of a joint task force of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS).

Baltimore--A study conducted by researchers at two major medical facilities here say they believe that manipulating genes within hair cells can reverse baldness.

Hershey, Pa.--A recently published study indicates that kidney-transplant patients are nearly four times more likely to develop melanoma than the general population.

A brand is not just about a well-orchestrated campaign. It is about the day-in and day-out experience that patients have with your practice.

Dr. Ferrara's work provided a basis for a major breakthrough in cancer research — the development of an antibody against VEGF in the treatment of lung and colorectal cancer.

Topically applied mupirocin penetrated bilayered cellular construct therapy and reduced colonization by MRSA.

This seems like a very simple question, but in actuality is quite complex. Just walk up and down the drug store aisle and look at all of the moisturizers. Each manufacturer claims to have found the perfect method for skin moisturization, but in actuality, all companies are still searching for the complete answer. How do I know this? Simply because each year new moisturizers enter the market and older versions are withdrawn.

A common analogy in the medical business today is that a group practice is like a marriage. Medical partners often spend more time together than many married couples, and may have as much financial intertwining as most spouses.

National report — Like isotretinoin itself, the recently mandated patient registry for this drug represents a mixed bag, sources tell Dermatology Times.

Washington — "We now understand at the molecular level how MRSA (methicillin-resistant staph aureas) resistance manifests itself, " Shahriar Mobashery, Ph.D., told the 230th National Meeting and Exposition of the American Chemical Society here.

At press time, a portion of New Orleans had suffered more flooding from a second storm, Hurricane Rita. Federal officials said it would take two to three weeks to pump out the additional floodwaters. The Army Corps of Engineers estimates the city's system of levees won't be completely repaired until next June, according to news reports.

A brand is not just about a well-orchestrated campaign. It is about the day-in and day-out experience that patients have with your practice.

The business of cleaning up big business is still largely unfinished.

Chicago —Although the increase in melanoma incidence shows no sign of stopping, the use of dermatoscopy will help dermatologists diagnose and treat it earlier and may therefore help lower the incidence of metastatic disease, according to Mark F. Naylor, M.D., in a presentation at the American Academy of Dermatology's Academy '05, here.

New Orleans — A new peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) lipid has demonstrated the ability to improve photoaged skin both in vitro and in vivo.

Chicago — The buzz continues to build surrounding fractional photothermolysis — a new approach to laser technology that can treat a number of conditions with minimal downtime.

Chicago — The trend toward non-invasive rejuvenation of the face is continually expanding with methods ranging from the simplest at-home therapies to aggressive, high-tech methods of removing as many signs of aging as possible.

Stanford, Calif. — Scientists here have begun unraveling the mechanism by which botulinum toxin attacks nerves, thereby causing paralysis.

Europe's version of Botox, Dysport (Ibsen-Biotech Laboratories) is poised to officially cross the Atlantic, mainly into the offices of U.S. cosmetic surgeons, once Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval is obtained by its U.S. marketer, Santa Barbara, Calif.-based Inamed.

Chicago — The popularity of botulinum toxin type A injections for correcting wrinkles of the upper face has increased dramatically over the past few years. The extent of its popularity as a cosmetic procedure is obvious when this statistic is considered: The number of botulinum toxin type A procedures rose 157 percent from 2002 to 2003; the next highest increase was chemical peels, which rose a relatively sparse 48 percent over that same period.

In Dr. Baumann's experience, Sculptra is safe and effective for off-label cosmetic use alone or in combination with other fillers. The nature of the product makes it suitable not just for filling wrinkles, but for changing the structure of the face.

St. Louis — Turbo UVB phototherapy with the 308 nm excimer laser performed using a single high dose appears to be a well-tolerated and rapidly effective method for treating chronic plaque psoriasis, according to the results of an open-label pilot trial undertaken by dermatologists at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland.

National report — Preliminary review finds no adverse effects of anti-TNF-alpha agents on pregnancy outcomes. Analyses of limited data collected by the Organization of Teratology Information Services (OTIS) suggest there is no increased risk of major malformations or spontaneous abortions in women who received treatment with an anti-TNF-alpha medication early during pregnancy, reports Christina Chambers, Ph.D., M.P.H., who is current President of OTIS, assistant professor, departments of pediatrics and family and preventive medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, Calif.

A fundamental lesson and one that has been a basis for years of continued research is that aphthosis is a multifactorial disease.

Dr. Ferrara's work provided a basis for a major breakthrough in cancer research — the development of an antibody against VEGF in the treatment of lung and colorectal cancer.

Ferndale, Mich. — Ferndale Laboratories has created a new aesthetic division, Biopelle, dedicated exclusively to aesthetic medicine, according to company president Dr. Michael Burns.

Even in places that have an image of relative safety — the hurricane makes people acknowledge their vulnerability.

The best time to respond to a disaster is before it happens. There are steps you can take now to prepare your dermatology practice for a crisis.